The Royal Family's "Secret Garden" Is Opening to the Public

Trust the Royal Family to have a secret garden within a garden, but their exclusive retreat will open to public for just three days this week. And there's plenty of kingly history within its walls.

Nestled on 35 acres of the Queen's Windsor Castle, Frogmore Gardens has served as monarchs' private getaway for centuries. In fact, King George III purchased the picturesque mansion in 1792 for his beloved Queen Charlotte. More than 200 years later, another royal couple hosted their wedding reception in that very building.

Just take a look at Frogmore over the past two centuries and you'll understand the dreamy appeal:

The Duchess lived in Frogmore House during the mid-19th century, but commissioned an additional domed temple to serve as her summer house and later, her final resting place.

Gothic Ruins

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Besides the mausoleum, lakeside ruins add to the mystic aura. Queen Victoria used this wisteria-covered terrace as a breakfast and reading room during the summer.

The Poultry Farm

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Frogmore also features the world's most elegant chicken coop, pictured during the early 20th century. Queen Victoria once wrote of Frogmore: "All is peace and quiet and you only hear the hum of the bees, the singing of the birds and the occasional crowing and cackling from the Poultry Yard!"

Frogmore Mausoleum

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In 1861, Queen Victoria built the much larger Frogmore Mausoleum after the death of her husband, Prince Albert. She was later buried beside him in 1901.

The House

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Their son, the future King Edward VII, and his wife Queen Alexandra enjoyed the property in their marriage year, 1863.

Princess Elizabeth

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Decades later, the future Queen would explore the grounds of Frogmore. She's wearing her "Girl Guides" uniform in this 1942 photo.

Princess Margaret

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The Queen's younger sister also wore the adorable outfit.

The Queen and Princess Anne

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The next generation of royals made frequent use of the grounds, too. The Queen would often take her daughter — and her corgis — to the gardens for picnics.

The Lake

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The mother-daughter duo test out the rowboat in 1959.

The Queen's Family

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A 4-year-old Prince Andrew monkeys around in a shot from 1965.

The Royal Wedding

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No, it's not that royal wedding, but the Queen's grandson Peter Phillips married Autumn Kelly at Frogmore House in 2008.

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